Return-It Launches Express & GO in Comox
Good news for the town of Comox – recycling just got a whole lot easier! With extended hours and contactless service, residents can drop off refundable beverage containers at the new Return-It Express & GO recycling station located at John’s Your Independent Grocer on 215C Port Augusta Street.
Installation of the Return-It Express & GO recycling station gives residents of Comox, British Columbia, access to a brand-new and easy way to recycle their empty beverage containers. This expansion of the Express & GO network is helping Return-It achieve its social purpose of existing to foster a world where nothing is waste.
"At Return-It, our goal is to make recycling as simple and convenient as possible for British Columbians, and our Express & GO station in Comox is the latest step towards that goal," said Cindy Coutts, President and CEO of Return-It. "We're thrilled to partner with the progressive and forward-thinking town of Comox, which was quick to secure a site for the station, to provide this easy-to-access solution for recycling beverage containers. This marks an exciting step for Return-It as we continue to expand our Express & GO network to other areas of Vancouver Island."
"Doing what you can at home to reduce, reuse, and recycle are simple actions that have a big and positive impact on the environment,” said Courtenay-Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard. “Recycling is much easier when it is fast, convenient, and accessible, and I am so pleased that Comox residents will have an Express & GO location closer to home. Make sure you save your beverage containers!”
The Express & GO station operates using solar energy and is housed within a 20-foot repurposed shipping container, which is brightly colored and easy to use. After creating a free Express account at express.return-it.ca, residents can bring their containers to the station in a sealed and clear bag, label each bag, and drop them off. Within 10 business days, refund amounts will be deposited into associated Express accounts, with a choice of receiving funds through Interac e-Transfer or cheque. Alternatively, refunds can be donated registered local community groups or charitable organizations.
"We want to thank Return-It and the leadership at Comox Mall for working with us and quickly providing a solution to support beverage container drop-off and refunds without having to leave the town,” said Nicole Minions, Mayor of Comox. “This new recycling station will support Comox with an interim solution while Encorp continues work on establishing a larger multi-material recycling depot.”
Comox is the latest environmentally conscious community to join the network of 14 Express & GO locations including Tofino, Keremeos, Penticton, Kelowna, Quesnel, Hartland, McBride, and Coquitlam. Stations are also located on site at well-known institutions such as Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, and Big White Ski Resort, and retail outlets including Park Royal in North Vancouver, and North Vancouver Superstore, as well as North Shore Recycling.
David Coon, owner of the Comox Centre Mall noted the importance of collaboration in bringing the new recycling option to town.
"The Comox Centre Mall Partnership Group and businesses are excited to be part of the co-operative effort by the Town of Comox and Return-It to offer the Express & Go recycling service to the residents of Comox,” Coon stated.